If you’ve ever wondered why succulents have become so popular, just take a look at their intriguing, architectural shapes. You’ll quickly understand the attraction. Their low-maintenance reputation has also helped succulents emerge as best sellers in the natural world. You’ll likely find them in a variety of neighborhood retail shops—from nurseries to large discount stores.
However, don’t pick up a few succulents expecting them to flourish if you neglect them for days on end. They do require some care. Check out our quick care guide for growing succulents both indoors and outdoors before you bring one of these beauties home.
Choose Wisely
If you truly want a low-maintenance plant, choose succulents that require minimal care. Avoid the temptation to grab the first cute succulent you see in the store aisle. Some of the easiest varieties to care for include Crassula (jade plant), Haworthia (zebra cactus), aloe, echeveria, and sedum. For succulents that need more attention, treat them as you would any other plant. Review the care instructions and follow them accordingly.
Repot Successfully
Often, you’re attracted to a succulent because it’s paired with a fun pot that shows off the plant’s natural curves. However, be sure to abandon that small plastic pot and the accompanying soil within a day or two of bringing your new plant home. Choose a larger plant container to create a better growing environment. Also, upgrade your soil to ensure proper nutrients and drainage. To create the best soil for planting, add pumice or perlite to your gardening soil. Many stores also carry a soil mixture that’s ideal for succulents, often labeled as a cactus and succulent soil mix.
Avoid Overwatering
Be careful not to overwater your succulent, as this can cause it to droop or even die. Experts agree that succulents don’t thrive when they’re sitting in wet soil. In fact, most prefer conditions where the soil dries out quickly, so only water your plant when the soil appears fairly dry.
Fertilize Occasionally
Like other plants, succulents can benefit from occasional fertilization during the spring and summer seasons. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and dilute it to half-strength. Fertilize sparingly to avoid overfeeding, which can harm your succulents.
Provide Optimal Light
Many succulents require plenty of sunshine, but be sure to read up on how to best care for the species you selected. If indoors, avoid placing your plants near electronics or vents that emit an air-conditioned breeze, as this could weaken them. If you can, take your plant outdoors where it can get an abundance of sunlight.
Plant Effectively
Pay attention to planting conditions. When planting your succulents outdoors, just as with indoor planting, select areas with plenty of light and invest in fast-draining soil to prevent your plant from receiving too much moisture. Try using gravel over the soil to minimize the amount of water that reaches the bottom of the plant.
Prepare for Winter
Since most succulents don’t survive freezing temperatures, bring them indoors during the winter. Follow the same care routine for these plants as you do for those indoors—provide them with plenty of light and avoid overwatering. A few specific species, including agaves and sedums, can be left outdoors during the winter in certain regions. Again, do your research to ensure you’re caring for specific varieties properly.
Succulents have earned their reputation for being fun, easy-to-maintain plants. Just show them a bit of love to help them flourish indoors and outdoors.
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